We don’t only feature fully modified vehicles in NZ Performance Car magazine — the mildly modified get a look in too! It doesn’t matter what it is, if you’re passionate about it, modify it, and drive it to work every day, we’ll showcase it.
Owner: Kunal Segran
Location: Auckland
Occupation: Bank sales and lending specialist
Make/model: 2003 Mitsubishi Evo VIII
Engine: 4G63, 2000cc four-cylinder, A’PEXi air filter, 373kW (500hp), fuel pump, Stillen three-inch downpipe, three-inch test pipe, three-inch mandrel-bent exhaust system, M&H muffler, Redline Performance aluminium radiator, HKS SSQV blow-off valve
Drivetrain: Factory six-speed, ACT 3200 clutch, ACT 5.9kg flywheel
Interior: Factory Recaros, custom Ralliart floor mats, JVC KD-R536 head unit, six-inch JVC speakers
Exterior: Evo IX rear spoiler, Evo IX front badge, Evo IX headlights, Evo IX tail lights, carbon fibre vortex generator, Polish Angel glass coating
Suspension/brakes: Tein lowering springs, factory Brembo four-pot calipers, Carbotech brake pads, Motul 5.1 brake fluid
Wheels/tyres: 18×9.5-inch Work Emotion D9R (+12), Work wheel nuts, 235/35R18 Nankang NS20
NZ Performance Car: Hi Kunal, thanks for showing us your immaculate Evo. Have you always been an Evo fan?
Kunal Segran: No, I was always a Subaru fan — I have previously owned both a V6 STI and a V7 STI. When I was in the market for a new car, my mate took me for a test drive in his Evo, and the rest is history.
What advantage do you feel the Evos have over their Subaru equivalent?
Spare parts and aftermarket parts are easier to find for the Mitsubishis over the Subarus. They are easier to work on, and also easier to get power out of with basic mods. Evos fetch a lot more come sale time, and best of all they hold their price.
Yours obviously isn’t completely factory any more, what direction did you take your build?
I wanted to focus on a bit more form than function. While I have focused on the exterior and looks, I am now starting to concentrate on the performance side of things — basic upgrades that won’t break the bank.
Does the Evo see any track time, or is it just for daily driving and weekend duties?
The Evo is used for weekend duties and the odd quarter mile. Before my mods and reflash, I did a 13.3-second pass. I plan to do more runs at Meremere.
What plans do you have in store for the Evo, or are you finished with it now?
I’m definitely not finished with it just yet. Future plans and modifications include Kelford Cams, injectors, a fuel-pressure regulator, an ECU, and a turbo upgrade. I’m hoping that will see it produce close to 280–300kW, which will be more than enough for weekend street duties and the track.
Thanks for chatting to us, Kunal. Good luck with your future build plans.
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